Lacking endorsement from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leadership, Karat Faisal, who was the Left Democratic Front-backed Independent councillor in the Koduvally municipality, has backed out from contesting the local body elections this time. It was with the support of the LDF that Mr. Faisal won from the Parambathukavu ward of the Koduvally municipality in 2015. There was also a public event at Koduvally a few days ago at which Mr. Faisal was declared as an LDF Independent candidate by Kunnamangalam MLA P.T.A. Some of the local leaders said Mr. Faisal had voluntarily gone back on his plan and there was no element of pressure on him. Apart from the gold smuggling case, CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s journey in a luxury car owned by Mr. Faisal in 2017 had also kicked up a fresh war of words over his candidature again.

Source: The Hindu November 17, 2020 18:12 UTC